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2024 Nissan Versa | Cars.com photo by Christian Lantry
Key Points
Nissan has discontinued the cheapest car in the U.S., the Versa.
With the Versa gone, Nissan’s cheapest vehicles available are the Kicks SUV and the Altima and Sentra sedans.
There are still some alternatives available for less than $30,000, including the Chevrolet Trax, Honda Civic, Kia Seltos and Toyota Corolla.
New-car affordability in the U.S. suffered another blow recently when Nissan officially discontinued the cheapest new car available, the Versa. The sedan has topped Cars.com’s list of cheapest new cars for a while now, and has even made the cut for our list of best value new cars; for under $20,000, you could have a subcompact and, for the enthusiast who likes a cheap small car that you can row your own gears in, even have it with a manual transmission. Sadly, we may never see anything like it again stateside.
But all isn’t lost. While there aren’t any new cars that start at less than $20,000 anymore, there are still a few models that start under $30,000 besides the Versa’s bigger stablemates, the Altima, Kicks and Sentra. In the Versa’s absence, we’ve gathered a few model-year 2026 options below for buyers looking for a great vehicle that’s actually affordable.
Related: Nissan Discontinues the Versa, the Cheapest New Vehicle in the U.S.
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2024 Chevrolet Trax | Cars.com photo by Christian Lantry
Chevrolet Trax
Starting price: $23,495 (includes $1,795 destination fee)\nEstimated combined fuel economy: 29-30 mpg\nIf you want an affordable, well-equipped crossover, look no further than the Chevy Trax. For just over $23,000 to start, you get standard features that include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, LED headlights and a suite of driver safety aids. A loaded Trax is relatively affordable, too; even with major options like premium paint and a moonroof, you’ll still come in under $30,000. The one major downside is that it’s underpowered: Despite having a turbocharged 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine, the Trax’s 137 horsepower makes it one of the least powerful crossovers in the class.\n\nShop the 2026 Chevrolet Trax near you\nSummit White 2026 Chevrolet Trax FWD 1RS SUV\nNew\n2026 Chevrolet Trax FWD 1RS\n$24,358 MSRP $25,790\n$500 price drop\n\nSummit White 2026 Chevrolet Trax FWD 1RS SUV\nNew\n2026 Chevrolet Trax FWD 1RS\n$25,230\nView all 2026 Chevrolet Trax models for sale near 60606\nhonda civic hybrid 2025 01 exterior front angle red jpg\n2025 Honda Civic hybrid hatchback | Cars.com photo by Brian Normile\nHonda Civic\nStarting price: $25,890 (includes $1,195 destination)\nEstimated combined fuel economy: 31-49 mpg \nThe 11th-generation Civic is arguably the best the model has ever been. From the no-frills base version and fuel-efficient hybrid to the performance of the Si and Type R, there really is something for everyone. You can even have your choice of sedan or hatchback. If you’re just looking for a well-built, affordable car to get you from A to B, look no further than the standard Civic LX. For just under $26,000, you get features like a 150-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, LED headlights, a suite of driver safety aids, automatic climate control, and a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. \n\nShop the 2026 Honda Civic near you\nPlatinum White Pearl 2026 Honda Civic Sport Hatchback\nNew\n2026 Honda Civic Sport\n$28,214 MSRP $29,545\n\nHigh Demand\nBlue Lagoon Pearl 2026 Honda Civic Sport Sedan\nNew\n2026 Honda Civic Sport\n$26,974 MSRP $28,245\n$771 price drop\n\nView all 2026 Honda Civic models for sale near 60606\nkia seltos sx turbo awd 2024 03 exterior front angle scaled jpg\n2024 Kia Seltos | Cars.com photo by Christian Lantry\nKia Seltos\nStarting price: $25,285 (includes $1,495 destination)\nEstimated combined fuel economy: 25-29 mpg\nWhile Kia has a redesign of the Seltos coming soon, the brand’s smallest SUV remains a great value for those looking for something that is both affordable and well equipped. For just over $25,000, you can get into a base Seltos LX with standard features like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 147-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, a suite of safety systems and rear climate-control vents.\n\nShop the 2026 Kia Seltos near you\nBlue / Black 2026 Kia Seltos S SUV\nNew\n2026 Kia Seltos S\n$28,424 MSRP $29,080\n\nHigh Demand\nBlue Black 2026 Kia Seltos S SUV\nNew\n2026 Kia Seltos S\n$29,455 MSRP $29,455\nView all 2026 Kia Seltos models for sale near 60606\ntoyota corolla xse 2026 exterior oem 02 jpg\n2026 Toyota Corolla XSE | Manufacturer image\nToyota Corolla\nStarting price: $24,120 (includes $1,195 destination)\nEstimated combined fuel economy: 33-50 mpg\nThe Corolla is a legend in the affordable small-car class. Currently in its 12th generation, it offers something for everyone: You can have your Corolla in either sedan or hatchback body styles with gas or hybrid powertrains, and you can even go for all-out performance with the GR Corolla hot hatch. Basic Corollas are affordable and reliable transportation, however: For just over $24,000, you can get into a Corolla LE sedan that comes with a suite of safety systems, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, automatic climate control, a 7-inch digital gauge cluster and a 169-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine.\n\nShop the 2026 Toyota Corolla near you\nRuby Flare Pearl/Midnight Black Metallic 2026 Toyota Corolla SE Sedan\nNew\n2026 Toyota Corolla SE\n$27,624\n\nHigh Demand\nCelestite 2026 Toyota Corolla SE Sedan\nNew\n2026 Toyota Corolla SE\n$27,090 MSRP $28,534\n$1,444 price drop\n\nView all 2026 Toyota Corolla models for sale near 60606\nRead More About Cheapest Cars on Cars.com:\n\nHow Much Is the 2026 Toyota Corolla?\nHow Much Is the 2026 Chevrolet Trax?\nHow Much Is the 2026 Honda Civic?\nHow Much Is the 2026 Kia Seltos?\nFind Your Next Car\nRelated Video:\n\nCars.com’s Editorial department is your source for automotive news and reviews. In line with Cars.com’s long-standing ethics policy, editors and reviewers don’t accept gifts or free trips from automakers. The Editorial department is independent of Cars.com’s advertising, sales and sponsored content departments.\n\n\n\nNew car affordability in the U.S. faced another significant setback in 2026 with Nissan’s official discontinuation of the Versa, which had long held the title of the country’s most affordable new vehicle. This subcompact sedan wasn’t just budget-friendly; it was a segment leader, often topping Cars.com’s list of the cheapest new cars and frequently earning a spot on our best value new cars ranking. For well under $20,000, buyers could secure a reliable subcompact, and for the driving enthusiast who craved a manual transmission in their cheap small car, the
